clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Arizona Cardinals give contract extension to OL Paul Fanaika

After one start, the journeyman has earned himself some security.

By Jess Root
Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

The Arizona Cardinals announced that they have agreed to terms with offensive lineman Paul Fanaika on a one-year contract extension

Fanaika (6-5, 327) was signed by the team on April 24 as a free agent and started at right guard in the season opener at St. Louis last week. He previously played with the Seattle Seahawks, Washington Redskins and Philadelphia Eagles. A former Arizona State standout, Fanaika started 35 of 48 games during his collegiate career.

He was drafted by Philadelphia in the seventh round (213th overall) of the 2009 NFL Draft and spent the majority of his rookie season on the Eagles practice squad before being signed to Washington's active roster. He was with Seattle the past three years, including in 2011 when he played in three games. He was released by the Seahawks in 2012 following training camp.

The move is interesting. He has only played one game, so the team clearly sees something that they like. At minimum, they get an insurance policy for next season, as Jonathan Cooper will be coming back from a broken leg.

What one can possible infer from this is seeing that Daryn Colledge is probably going to be elsewhere in 2014, or perhaps the team is not as sold on Earl Watford as they were before the draft.

Fanaika's contract likely will be very reasonable, manageable for a backup and probably a steal if he starts.

Of all the players that were likely to get extensions, Fanaika probably would not have been the player anyone would have chosen to get the first one. Of course, his was probably the easiest to do.

I can imagine the conversation going something like this:

Steve Keim: "Paul, we would like to extend your contract through next season."

Fanaika: "Done."

What do you think of the contract extension?

More from Revenge of the Birds:

More From Revenge of the Birds